WIKIS IN THE CLASSROOM

Hello everyone,  I would like to take this opportunity to invide evryone to my wikipage.  I hope that you will read, enjoy and comment appropriately to the posts that was made.
http://anewbeginninginlearning.wikispaces.com/

I think as everithing else that there is a time and place for everything.  The wiki, also has a time and place.  In a classroom setting teachers and students can utilize wikis when there are assignments to do.  Teachers can post information where students can read and comment.  Students can  also put their views on a page and haveother students correct information.  A discussion on a specific topic could be done on the wikis where students can give their honest views.

Engaging in a wiki with my collegues was exciting, well I was excited when I heard aboutthe wikis and that I was going to get a first hand experience with one.  i did not know it was so challenging and time consuming.  I still do not get the gist of it to this day.  Firstly,  setting up the wiki was difficult, then inviting other members to it.  Lastly, I had difficulty actually getting o and understanding fully without getting the assistance of the other group members.
As I said before it is still a challenge with this whole new idea, but my group members cooperated with eac other and it was easier to get the work done.
I am not totally sure how the piece can be improved since I am still getting familiar with it.  I guessit could be improved if I get more learnt about wikis.

Honestly, I do not see me in the classroom with wikis right now.  I do know however that I will try my hardest to get mre kniowledgeable at it and then maybe then I would utilize it in my classroom.

Videos in the classroom

The aim of the video created was intended to a grade three class.  It focuses on the subject of science and deals with the life cycle of a butterfly.  It is about the four stages of life from the egg to the butterfly with pictures and captions to explain every stage.

The using of videos can be very beneficial in the classroom.  It is even more beneficial to the smaller children and the concrete learner.  Videos reinforce what is taught in class and gives the information presented an inviting approach to learning.  Videos are also very useful when you cannot actually take your class to a specific area.  It brings the place inside he classroom and therefore gives the class an experience where sight gives you a sense of feeling that you are in that particular situation.  It brings “home” the lesson.

 

Reflection

The Cycle of the Butterfly was created to allow students to see the actually happenings of the various developmental stages of a butterfly.  It will reinforce the information given to the students where they will actually see how the eggs hatch to the butterfly emerging. 

Various challenges where faced in the production of this video.  Firstly, to download a video was not possible since; the mp3 file for whatever reason could not be downloaded to my computer.  Then, the time to get the video done was not easy to get since setting up a time to work with my colleague was not always possible.  I am glad that we got through.  I would improve this piece by getting music that adds effect to the various stages of the butterfly and also to get the real happenings of the stages taken place instead of still pictures.

Can Podcasting be an Assest to the Classroom?

Using a podcast in the classroom can be very beneficial to both teachers and students.    Teachers can use this type of technology to provide additional and revision material to students to download and review at their convenience.  The lesson will be accessible to students even if they are not present in the classroom when a particular might have been taught.  Podcasting also provides students with a large audience with a more meaningful learning experience.

 This podcast prepared was done to teach kindergarten children about the vowel “A” and the sound it makes.  It was done with music so that the learning experience for the child will be attractive and fun making leaning enlightening.  Children learn more when they are comfortable and when the material is related to them in an exciting form.  As in the podcast some students were interviewed about letter A and the sound it makes and they also got the opportunity to sing along with the music.  It will concrete the information quicker and easier. 

A podcast could be used for classroom instruction firstly; using it on a field trip where what ever happens on that trip will be recorded and taken back in the classroom so that students will get the chance to have class discussions on exactly what happened.  It will allow the students to have a real life narrative of their experiences and also take detailed notes on observations when returned to the classroom.  Secondly, podcasts can be used in conducting surveys for various subject areas where people/s actual voices would have been recorded to get the full effect and impact of what they say.  Just conducting a paper questionnaire will not give all these information.

How will blogging improve my classroom?

Blogging is quite a new form of media for me.  I believe it will improve the student's knowledge of how information can be transmitted.  Blogs can help in getting information from other teachers, especially from those who have been teaching for a while and would havethe necessary information.  It would help you to be better more more equipped.

The Importance of Lesson Plans

It is very important for teachers to prepare their lesson plan (each lesson plan).  As a saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you are really planning to fail."

Lesson plans are important and essential in planning because you need to know what your are teaching the students.  You are able to meet each student's needs in terms of their different learning styles.  We also have students, with different backgrounds, differnt economic situations and different personalities.  With all this in mind, a teacher should not teach her lesson only geared towards a specific goal in mind.  She should have specific objectives in order for each student to learn effectively.

Even though a teacher may be teaching the same topic for years, it is wise to note that all classes and children are not the same.  What could work yesterday, last week or even last year is not necessarily able to work this year.  The teacher may even be able to aquire new information on the specific topic.
With lesson plans, one could see where they are going and where they actually reached. You could also see if the goal was met and where changes could be made.  We are able to view or performance to know if we need to chance our teaching skills.

How will I use my Blog?

When I have familiarized myself with blogging, and will use my blog for educational purposes.  I intend to give information and get information for the various subject areas.

I can also get information pertaining to assignments and discussions had in class.

What do I think about Blogging in the classroom

It is not as easy as it sounds.  In my view, at the primary school level, I do not think children are knowleageble enough to be using blogs, and even if they are when i look at how they are abusing facebook and other types, I really have to wonder if it is a wise thing to do.  I am aware that it can be beneficial, but at the same time it could also be detrimental.I